I've been struggling with the idea that I need to label my FOW infantry stands to identify separate platoons or team types. I'm rather partial to the idea of clearly labelled bases but other gamers prefer a less intrusive approach with labels on the base of the stand only. So I have been hunting round the Internet for ideas and views on this subject, eventually finding the excellent website
The Bards Abode. The bard has devised a set of labels for his stands and has made the excel file available to download. I have used this as the basis of my labels but have adapted and redesigned them for my own purposes.
Here are some examples of how I have applied these labels to the bases of my newly finished
US Parachute Rifle Company.
 |
| HQ Unit / Second in Command Carbine Team - HQ Unit |
The label includes a coloured block with platoon number or abbreviation (such as 1 for first Platoon or MG for Machine Gun Platoon or AA for Anti Aircraft) then a team description. The final box identifies which section or squad the unit belongs to within the platoon.
 |
| Second Platoon / Commanding Officer Rifle-MG Team / HQ Unit |
The labels are printed on regular printer paper and cut out using a scalpel and a very steady hand. I fixed these on the rear bevelled edge of the base with PVA glue and then applied a thin coat of Matt Varnish to protect them from rough handling.
 |
| 1st Platoon / Rifle-MG Team / Squad 1 |
The finished labels are clear to read and the different coloured platoon markers makes identification easy without being too intrusive.
I'm sure I'll get howls of disapproval from some quarters but I rather like the way these look. Personally I have always liked to see unit names and identifiers on stands. I guess its just a personal aesthetic but somehow it feels 'old school' to me, and I like that.
What do you think? I'd love to know how you deal with the issue of identification when the models are on the battlefield.
I think they are right on the button. Small enough not to detract from the figures on the base but clear enough to give you the info you need without letting your opponent know what he is facing.
ReplyDeleteI also use labels on the back to identify the platoons / teams. On the front I have a painted dot of the same colour as the coloured block of the labels. This way my opponent can also see to which platoon the teams belong.
ReplyDeleteVery neat!
ReplyDeleteIts always difficult, which way to go with labelling bases, the best way, but not the most practical is to label them on the bottom of the base. But these look great, very unobtrusive.
ReplyDeleteThey work for me and sod any one who feels it's too much. ;-)
ReplyDeleteIan
These are bloody lovely, great idea and look!
ReplyDeleteI haven't got to a point where I need to label units, but this looks like a great way to do it unobtrusively.
ReplyDeleteI've tried labeling on the bottom of the base and find it's only really helpful when moving units from the storage shelf to the game table. I like your solution a lot. It's similar to what I use for ship models. Well done.
ReplyDeleteYou might try applying the label to the base before scenicing, it might blend in a little more.
Miles
I like these a lot. Very functional, aesthetically pleasing, and non-intrusive.
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea, i like this very much!
ReplyDeleteI think it works well. Having it on the back of the base makes it less intrusive. Very well done.
ReplyDeleteInfantry marking is really important I think, and yours look very professional indeed: well done that man!
ReplyDeleteLooks good.. very professional looking actually, and visually its not too distracting. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThose look great!
ReplyDeleteWhat could be simpler or clearer than that? A great solution Lee.
ReplyDeleteI would do this if they were decals all nice and sealed below the finish. I see a lot of people using a different basing scheme to identify platoons. It makes you be creative and appeals to some peoples modelling bug. Combat attachments are always a problem however you do it.
ReplyDeleteinstead of using printer paper it is possible to buy decal paper and make water slides of them; I think that could be made really neat
ReplyDeleteregards
Mark
Nice solution. I think it looks good.
ReplyDeleteGood work Lee! I've tried various scenery-based labelling, but it all gets confusing; your method IMHO is the best way though... ;)
ReplyDeleteHard to complain when the minis look good. Many people's armies don't look half this nice, so if any complain that a small tag like this, on the back of the base, is a detraction then they're really nitpicking.
ReplyDeleteIt's a small concession to playability. I might only put them on units that have something unique, like an HQ or a rare weapon, and leave them off when it's a 'stock standard' infantry unit: if you have them.. I'm only moderately familiar with the game and the variety of unit options.